Gabriel applauds 2nd half response as Bay register first point of the season

It took Namibian international Tuli-Ngenovali Nashixwa’s glorious strike early in the second half, just after the halfway line, to level matters for the Natal Rich Boyz. 

They had lost their opening game 2-1 at home to Polokwane City, but Gabriel was happy with this gallant effort this time around...

"We felt that coming into the game we conducted ideal preparations, but our first half performance let us down as we gave away a cheap goal. It's always difficult to come back into a game away from home, but in the second half we responded well and we played the game on the front foot. Had certain moments gone our way we would've stolen all three points."

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Ngenovali Nashixwa’s goal, is a serious contender for goal of the month, Nigerian international goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had no response to it. 

It was a spirited second-half performance from the visitors that saw them boss the midfield and neutralise a Chippa United team that had resorted to a five-man defence after the halftime break. 

Bay will now also start getting used to playing their home matches away from their slaughterhouse in Umhlathuze, as it is going to be closed for pitch renovations. Their alternative venue is Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, and Gabriel says it’s a bit disappointing, but they will get used to it...

"It's disappointing but we have to adapt to the new ground we are going to play at, while waiting for the rehabilitation process to conclude before returning to our usual ground to make our supporters happy back home."

Richards Bay have always been one of the teams in the league that give youthful talent from around KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa in general the opportunity at the highest level. 

One of their new finds is Siphamandla Makhalala, who was signed from Ravens FC, a team playing in the ABC Motsepe League in the Eastern Cape. 

Gabriel is happy with the new talent they are bringing to the top level...